Inversion roof operated - what is it?

Probably, no one will argue with the fact that in the modern city there is a lack of free space. One of the first solution to this problem was proposed by the inhabitants of Europe, who had encountered it somewhat earlier. There they began to use roofs for, for example, parking lots or recreational areas, and sometimes on the roofs they installed entire gardens with gazebos. Such a variant of using the roof space became possible after the invention of the inversion roof technology.

In the conditions of private households, flat roofs are quite rare, since for such cases the pitched roof is more suitable, but for urban apartment buildings such a development of useful space seems to be quite appropriate. Therefore, it would not be superfluous to say a few words about the inversion roof that is being used and what are the general rules of its manufacturing technology.

general description

Considering the inversion roof, it should be said that, in principle, it may resemble a simple soft roof for flat roofs, but there are a number of quite significant differences, perhaps the main one of which is that the reverse arrangement of the roofing materials is observed in the inversion roof.

To create a roof on a flat roof is usually used several layers of materials that perform waterproofing and thermal insulation functions. The difference of the inversion roof is that when it is installed, waterproofing follows thermal insulation. This arrangement is due to the fact that if you plan to use the roof area, that is, people will walk or even ride around it, which means that the waterproofing will inevitably be broken. Moisture will penetrate under the insulation layer, but it will not be able to fully evaporate, which means it will accumulate in the insulation, and then appear on the ceiling or cause mold.

That is why at one time it was decided to turn the layers of material. Thus, it became possible to mount a coating with the following properties:

• Coating strength. When installing the inversion roof, it becomes possible to hold a concrete tie, which allows you to arrange on the roof, for example, a parking lot or lay a lawn for a tennis court.
• Reliable waterproofing. Since the waterproofing layer is placed under the loading one, in which both the screed, and gravel, and the lawn can act, its damage is extremely difficult, which means that rain or melt water cannot leak and damage the ceiling.
• Durability. Due to the above-mentioned features of installation, the service life of an inverse roof is estimated in dozens of years without the need for any repairs.
• Versatility. Using the described technology, parking spaces, a recreation area, a sports field and even a swimming pool can be equipped on the roof of a building. Everything is limited only by fantasy.

These are just a few of the positive qualities of this type of roof, but along with them some less encouraging ones can be identified, namely, we are talking about a rather complicated design, which leads to a far considerable price of the finished result.

The basic rules of installation and selection of materials

If all the pros and cons are weighed and the decision to install the inversion roof is made, then it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of the work. Their observance is recommended to achieve the best result.

• First of all, it should be mentioned that during the work only reliable tools and high-quality materials should be used. The operated roof undergoes significant mechanical loads, so you should not save on materials. After all, to block large areas of a leaking roof, on which, for example, a rest area is equipped, is quite labor-intensive, and from the material side, in this case, the proverb about stingy works, which pays twice.
• Further, it should be said that the manufacture of an inversion roof entails finishing its outer layer using various heavy materials, such as paving slabs or concrete screed, which would entail a significant increase in the load on the roof overlaps, bearing walls and, as a consequence, the foundation calculations must be made in advance.
• As mentioned above, during the work it is necessary to take into account the total weight of the proposed roof and whether the overlapping loads are designed for such loads.

Note! If the design did not take into account the possibility of installing such systems, it is better to abandon its use for security purposes.

Technological stages of work

After all the necessary calculations and procurement of the necessary materials are carried out, they proceed to the installation works. They, as is customary, should be divided into several separate stages.

1. First, make the preparation of floor surfaces for laying layers of roofing materials. In this case, the surface is cleaned of any foreign objects, if any old coating is present, then it is removed.
2. After that, the waterproofing layer is glued, or rather, pasted. Usually, bitumen-based roll material is used, which is heated with a special burner, bitumen melts and the material is tightly attached to the surface of the concrete slab. It should be said that if it is necessary to lay several rows of material, and most often this is the case, the installation is carried out with an overlap, while it must be at least 10–15 cm.
3. It must be said that the device of the operated inversion roof implies the reverse arrangement of the layers of materials, therefore, after waterproofing, the insulation is laid down. For these purposes, expanded clay, polystyrene or similar material can be used. They perform well the functions assigned to them and at the same time exert a moderate overlap load.
4. Further, depending on which use of the roof is chosen, the next layer is laid. The point is that if it is supposed to equip parking spaces there, then a concrete screed is carried out on the beacons over the layer of insulation. Or laid paving slabs. And if a walking area is planned, for greater comfort, the paths can be tiled and the rest of the space laid out with a lawn. But whichever option is chosen, a drainage layer should be laid on top of the heat insulating layer and before laying the topcoat. It not only positively affects the strength of the coating, helping to more evenly distribute the load, but also does not allow the roots of plants or dirt to penetrate inside the layers of the roof. For these purposes you can, for example, use TechnoNIKOL geotextiles This material has good performance and is affordable.
5. As mentioned above, after the drainage layer is laid the final coating. For example, using a reinforced cement-concrete screed can achieve a very durable coating that will be able to withstand the weight of the car. And also you should not forget rolled lawns, which are easy to fit and form a uniform layer, pleasing the tired eyes of the city dweller.

In conclusion, we can draw several general conclusions.

• First, you need to understand that the installation of inverted roofing is operated is a very responsible matter, requiring close attention of professionals. This is particularly relevant to the preliminary engineering calculations. Here we have in mind not only the total load exerted by the roof on the floor, but also the slope under which it is mounted. This is important enough to ensure effective removal of moisture during heavy rainfall.
• Secondly, it should be said that if a large load on the surface is not expected, fine gravel or lawn can be used as the top layer. They are lighter than concrete screeds or paving slabs, but at the same time they are able to cope effectively enough with both mechanical impacts and moisture that will get onto the roof.
• Thirdly, it would not be superfluous to mention that if an exploited roof is arranged, then parapets should be installed along the roof perimeter. Still, the roof is the roof.

Well, and with all this it is worth saying that the roof equipment according to the inversion-operated roofing technology is undoubtedly a rather expensive event, but worth it.

Video

In this video you will see how to equip the exploited roof.